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Pregnancy

Cold sore in pregnancy and around new borns

20 replies

Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 03:48

I've also posted about cold sores in the herbal health forum but this is more specifically related to pregnancy and new borns.

Firstly I've never had a cold sore. I've always assumed I got lucky to never contract it as a child or perhaps just immune.

My DP first contracted his as an adult a few years before I met him. He gets a run of them (2 or 3 weeks) every six months. He has found they reduced in frequency with a healthier lifestyle, eating well, exercise and giving up smoking a few years ago. However he does still get them (I think during periods of stress) and he has one now, I'm
35 weeks pregnant.

I have a few questions:

  1. What is the real likelihood of me catching them while pregnant? I understand my immunity is lower than usual. I've always been fairly relaxed about kissing him when he has a cold sore, and must admit I've not totally avoided this time. But have just read on the NHS site that you shouldn't kiss a pregnant woman when you have a cold sore as they are more vulnerable than usual. Shit!!!! So obviously I shall avoid it totally now!!


  1. If I have caught it can I pass it to my unborn baby via the uterus????


  1. Once the baby is born what should my DP do if he still has a cold sore? The NHS just says to avoid kissing a new born baby, but other sites are more cautious. From washing hands before touching baby every time to wearing a surgical mask around the baby!!! Is this really necessary??


  1. A few people on the general health forum have recommended getting anti viral tablets to cover DP for the 1st 6 months. DP has asked about these before but was told they only prescribe them in extreme cases as they are very expensive. Is this an extreme case, as in preventing a baby from catching them?? Because the virus is so common, lots of dads must have them. I will suggest he goes back to the GP but I think he feels like it's a waste of time, they always tell him there's nothing he can do.


I will phone my GP and midwife tomorrow (separate surgery to my DP's) and see what they advise. I'm not sure whether I'm over thinking this or whether this is something serious. The info on the NHS website is brief. All the other websites are pretty scary, including a daily mail article about a baby dying because his mum (who caught the virus for the first time while pregnant) passed it onto him Sad

Any advice would be great, thank you.
OP posts:
Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 03:49

general health forum... Not herbal health!!!!!

OP posts:
skitter · 23/09/2014 04:00

I can't help on the likelihood of you getting a cold sore or passing the virus to your unborn baby, or whether the antivirals are a good idea, but I do know the cold sore virus can be really serious for newborns. my friend's baby died at just a few weeks old because of the virus - my friend had never had a cold sore before, but got one soon after the birth. I would ask your midwife for their advice and take some precautions if necessary - if your DP does have one after the baby is born he probably should wash hand before touching the baby and avoid kissing. Beyond that hopefully your midwife can help advise/reassure you. I would try not to worry too much, but just take care if DP does still have one when your baby arrives.

cosmicgirl99 · 23/09/2014 05:43

I am pregnant and have been plagued with cold sores from start of this pregnancy, literally back to back for months. I blame the toddler for lack of sleep as was fine last time.

I normally get them every few months or so like your DH. My obstetrician prescribed me the anti-virals and it has broken the cycle but I've kept an extra pack back and will take when baby due as it is very dangerous for newborns like you say.

Also, from what I have read, it's no danger to my unborn baby, because I have had the virus for years but it can be dangerous if you have a primary herpes infection while pregnant.

Bloody GP! Get your husband to see someone else asap and emphasise about your pregnancy/newborn - maybe go with him and do a bit of "upset pregnant lady" at them ;-) They are expensive, I'm now in an EU country where we pay for prescriptions - they're about 14€ here - but it does make you understand the value. I never agreed with free prescriptions for all (why should I, with a good job, get free drugs on the taxpayer?)

Good luck I hope you get it sorted,

Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 05:56

I've asked him to phone the GP again and see what they say. He immediately gets offended if I broach the subject, I have to tread quite carefully. But I had to tell him like it is because obviously our baby is more important than his pride!!

I'm really not sure he will speak to the GP though to be honest. He has so little faith in GPs and they basically laughed him out of he surgery last time. I never realised how serious it can be for a baby so I'm pleased I've found out now. At least we can take precautions if he has one when the baby is born.

He tends to have big gaps (of around 6 months) between episodes so hopefully that means he won't have one in 5 weeks when I'm due and for the next 5 months after that anyway.

I've never had one so have no idea if that's because I'm just lucky to have never caught one or naturally immune.

So as far as protecting the baby is concerned, is that the advice? Hand washing before touching the baby and no kissing?

OP posts:
Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 05:57

Quite honestly I'd pay £100 for a 6 month course if that was possible!!

OP posts:
SoonToBeSix · 23/09/2014 06:39

If you have really never had a cold sore you can't catch the virus over the age of five, it then lays dormant.

lucy101 · 23/09/2014 06:45

You could always see a private GP and get a private prescription (or find a new NHS one?). I second going with your husband and stressing how much this is worrying you. It really spoiled the first few months of my baby's life that we were so worried my husband would pass it on.

Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 07:28

lucy So did your husband have a cold sore for the first couple of months? Did the GP not give him the tablets either?

Why is there always something to worry about?!

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Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 07:30

soontobe6 my DP is convinced he caught his in his 20's. Him and his mother said he never caught one before. Apparently his first episode was really severe (his whole chin or something!) but has since just been the usual size.

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DontstepontheMomeRaths · 23/09/2014 07:40

Soontobe is that a typo? You can catch the herpes virus anytime of life. You can be contagious before the sore appears. You can also give someone genital herpes if you go down on them whilst contagious around your mouth.

ilovepowerhoop · 23/09/2014 07:43

My dh gets cold sores and has done since I met him over 20 years ago. I have never had one and neither have either of the kids. Washing hands and not kissing should help and fingers crossed his cold sore has gone by the time the baby arrives.

ilovepowerhoop · 23/09/2014 07:44

I think it is unlikely that you can only catch the virus under age 5. Surely a virus can be passed on at any age?

violetlights · 23/09/2014 08:00

Yes it can be dangerous for you to catch the virus late pregnancy. (Or rather, dangerous for your newborn). If you can get hold of anti-virals privately, I would definitely get them for your husband - or find a more sympathetic GP. (And please no more kissing! This is how I contracted an incredible vicious manifestation of the virus which plagued me for years).

If he still has cold sores around the newborn, do his best to avoid any mouth contact and also wash hands etc (he can try a cold sore patch). There's a lot if conflicting information out there, but I know from my own experience that some of the more 'authoritative' sites can minimize the danger with misinformation. I've found 100% misinformation on pretty clued-up sites which have been contradicted by hospital staff. So just to be sure I would follow the strictest advice (avoid sharing cups, utensils, towels etc).

It's important also to be alert for the signs of your newborn contracting it (fever I think?) and alert nhs staff to the fact he / she has been around a cold sore. Staff wouldn't necessarily jump to that conclusion by themselves as it could be anything. He / she will be put on anti-virals themselves then and should be fine if caught early enough. Getting a very prompt and correct diagnosis is the key.

Sorry if this seems a bit alarmist - I did tons of research into this issue myself, and totally admit my perspective is skewed by horrible (and rare!) experiences the virus and a rather paranoid desperation not to pass it into my DC.

P.s. Soontobesix is misinformed sadly!!!

ZebraZeebra · 23/09/2014 17:14

I got a cluster of a about five cold sores immediately after giving birth to my son. Probably from the stress of labour and being so run down. I couldn't kiss him for about three weeks and was very vigilant about cleaning my hands with one of those antibacterial hand gels they have in hospitals. He never caught them, that I'm aware. You just have to be super vigilant about not touching your lips, kissing and washing your hands.

Bellyrub1980 · 23/09/2014 17:17

Thanks everyone. I've given him the information, so we'll see how it goes.

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SoonToBeSix · 23/09/2014 19:40

Don'tstep yes I know you can't catch herpes at any age but you have to already have the virus in your system you are re activating it.

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 23/09/2014 20:24

That's not true.

6 in 10 do have herpes simplex type 1 and many do not know they have it. Yes it can remain dormant in nerve endings. But you can catch it at any age sadly. If someone is contagious and kisses you, you'll get it. You can even get it inside your nose, in your eye, on your finger (known as whitlow) or genitals. The herpes simplex virus is common. Type 2 (mainly genitals) is rarer, 1 in 10 have it the HVA stats say.

You can get an outbreak when under stress or tired. You can go without coldsores for ages and then suddenly get one again. All of that is true but you can catch them when older than age 5.

I'd be interested in why you're so convinced of this? Where has this come from? I even tried googling it and couldn't find any evidence for this assertion of yours.

violetlights · 23/09/2014 21:10

Yep, soontobesix, Dontstep is right. Lots of people are unaware they have it in adulthood, but you can catch it at any age just like HSV2. I caught it in my late 20's. Apart from the fact I have no memories of having cold sores up to that point, the severity of the symptoms (which can be, and usually are, more extreme in adulthood) were a big pointer to it being an initial infection. I was extremely ill and ended up in hospital twice. My DP was extremely alarmed as his experience of cold sores from childhood had always been a little sore on his upper lip. He didn't even know it was a virus and infectious... Hmm

SoonToBeSix · 23/09/2014 21:30

My mother! Who clearly is wrong sorry . What is actually true is the majority of people have caught the virus before the age of five.

Bellyrub1980 · 24/09/2014 06:47

soontobe6 My mum has told me the exact same thing before and I'd always assumed that was the case too until I met my DP and read up on it. I was gutted for him, catching it so late in life (and, let's be honest, probably from an X-GF or one night stand or something... So I think that adds to his frustration towards them now).

The general health forum recommended a few things and they do seem to be clearing it up quicker than usual touch wood so fingers crossed this will be gone before the baby arrives.

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